We're entering a great time of year for the FTVA! The
month of March again presents the opportunity to support
one of our favorite events, as the AF ISR Agency will
name its "Outstanding Airmen of the Year". Your
collective memberships, donations and Vigilant Partner
contributions enabled us to provide $5,500 for this year's
program (and a total of almost $50,000 since 2000). We're pleased to once again
assist the Agency in honoring these outstanding men and women who epitomize
the "best of the best" our active duty forces have to offer, and look forward to
participating in the festivities.

Our annual "Spring Social" date has been set for April 30, 2011. It will again be
held at the Gateway Club on Lackland AFB, and details will be forthcoming on
the website. Based on last year's record attendance, we've expanded the space
for our 2011 celebration and look forward another record! The theme will
recognize AF ISR Agency recently-deployed members, and you're missing an
inspiring evening if you're not there to hear their experiences. As usual, we've
arranged for an outstanding speaker - the AF ISR Agency Command Chief,
CMSgt Frederick Ricker, a warrior who's "been there, done that".

I regret to inform that we're losing one of the FTVA's true stalwarts, Mr. Kirk
Carpenter, who's stepping away due to work commitments (personally, I'll
blame the IRS for Kirk's departure). Kirk has done an outstanding job
maintaining our "Fallen Eagles" roster for over 8 years. He's always handled the
job rapidly and respectfully, always placing the appropriate attention to detail.
We'll miss Kirk, who deserves a lot of credit for ensuring our Fallen Eagles and
their families receive the attention they so richly deserve. In his stead, we
welcome a well-known personality as Kirk's replacement - CMSgt-Ret Ted
Colquhoun, former AF ISR Agency Command Chief. It's always great to see
young guys step up and assume significant roles with the Association (yes Ted,
you're young, at least in this case). My thanks to Ted and others who
volunteered to assume this important function.

SAVE THE DATE! Our annual reunion dates are set for 22 - 24 September
2011, and it's never too early to make your plans to attend. Further information
will be provided in the next Newsletter, on the website, and Face Book. We
again look forward to partnering with Maj Gen Heithold and the AF ISR
Agency, and hope all of you make a special effort to attend the festivities.
Please contact any FTVA Board Member for details and assistance.

I greatly enjoy reading all the correspondence that is received via the website,
personal e-mails, and traditional means. While not all remarks are
acknowledged, the Board of Directors and I try to immediately respond to those
requiring action and hope you continue to keep us informed of your status and
visits to the website. Feel free to let me know if you feel an issue wasn't given
the appropriate attention. We enjoy fielding your remarks, information, and
inquiries regardless of the communications method you use - and by all means,
please continue to "Remain In Touch!"